Prevalence and Outcomes of Anatomic Lung Resection for Hemoptysis: An Analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database

Racial/ethnic disparities in hospital utilization in intracerebral hemorrhage

Background and purpose

There is evidence that racial and ethnic differences among intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients exist. We sought to establish the occurrence of disparities in hospital utilization in the United States.

Methods

We identified ICH patients from United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample database for years 2006–2014 using codes (DX1 = 431, 432.0) from the International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition. We compared five race/ethnic categories: White, Black, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, and Others ( Native American and other) with regard to demographics, comorbidities, disease severity, in-hospital complications, in-hospital procedures, length of stay (LOS), total hospital charges, in-hospital mortality, palliative care, (PC) and do not resuscitate (DNR). We categorized procedures as lifesaving (i.e. ventriculostomy, craniotomy, craniectomy, and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt), life sustaining (i.e. mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy, transfusions, and gastrostomy). White race/ethnicity was set as the reference group.

Results

Out of 710,293 hospitalized patients with ICH 470,539 (66.2%), 114,821 (16.2%), 66,451 (9.3%), 30,297 (4.3%) and 28,185 (3.9%) were White, Black, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, and Others, respectively. Minorities (Black, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, and Others) had a higher rate of in-hospital complications, in-hospital procedures, mean LOS, and hospital charges compared to Whites. In contrast, Whites had a higher rate of in-hospital mortality, PC, and DNR. In multivariable analysis, all minorities had higher rate of MV, tracheostomy, transfusions, and gastrostomy compared to Whites, while Hispanics had higher rate of craniectomy and VP shunt; and Asian or Pacific Islander and Others had higher rate of craniectomy. Whites had a higher rate of in-hospital mortality, palliative care, and DNR compared to minorities. In mediation analysis, in-hospital mortality for whites remained high after adjusting with PC and DNR.

Conclusion

Minorities had greater utilization of lifesaving and life sustaining procedures, and longer LOS. Whites had greater utilization of palliative care, hospice, and higher in-hospital mortality. These results may reflect differences in culture or access to care and deserve further study.

Management of severe hemoptysis

INTRODUCTION

Though rare, severe hemoptysis (SH) is associated with a mortality rate exceeding 50% when not managed properly. Areas covered: This paper reviews the recent epidemiological data regarding SH, the role of multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA), and fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in its management, as well as the value of current treatments. Expert commentary: MDCTA is becoming an essential modality, since it allows determining the location, etiology, and mechanism of the bleeding. FOB can be delayed, except when local control of bleeding is required. Emergency treatment relies on interventional radiology. Both bronchial and non-bronchial arteries should be explored during bronchial arteriography. Surgery must be considered in all operable patients if the cause of hemoptysis persists.

Surgery for hemoptysis in patients with benign lung disease

Background

Hemoptysis can be a life-threatening condition that requires urgent treatment. Surgery still plays an important role in managing this critical situation, although previous reports have reported high postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. We report our experience with surgical resection for hemoptysis caused by benign lung diseases.

Methods

We reviewed the retrospectively collected data from 94 patients undergoing pulmonary resection for various benign lung diseases with hemoptysis at a single institution from 2010 to 2016. Baseline characteristics, surgical factors, and postoperative outcomes (morbidity and mortality rates) were analyzed.

Results

The ratio of male to female patients was 1:1, and the mean age was 58.2±11.1 (range, 29-79) years. The etiology of hemoptysis included aspergilloma in 58 patients (61.7%), bronchiectasis in 10, tuberculosis in 7, necrotizing bronchiolitis in 6, and other inflammatory disease in 13. A total of 21 patients (22.3%) underwent emergency operation, and 73 (77.7%) had an elective operation. Pulmonary resection was performed by thoracotomy (n=53, 56.4%) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) (n=41, 43.6%). Sublobar resection (n=50, 53.2%, segmentectomy in 19 and wedge resection in 31) was performed more often than lobectomy (n=35, 37.2%). Pneumonectomy was performed in 7 patients, and bilobectomy was performed in 2. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 23 patients (24.5%), with prolonged air leak being the most frequent complication (n=14, 14.9%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 3.2% (n=3). Complications were less frequent in patients undergoing an elective operation, VATS, and sublobar resection. Multivariate analysis showed that patients treated with VATS had a decreased risk of postoperative complications (odds ratio, 12.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-127.9; P=0.03).

Conclusions

Surgical resection for hemoptysis in patients with benign lung diseases is the mainstay of effective treatment with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. If applicable, we recommend elective (planned) sublobar resection using VATS in order to improve postoperative outcomes.

Impact of Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (From the National Inpatient Sample Database)

Left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion is performed by some surgeons in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of this procedure remains mixed. We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Survey Database for the 10-year period from 2004 to 2013. Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes, we identified patients who had a diagnosis of AF and underwent a primary procedure of CABG with or without LAA exclusion. We then performed a 1:5 matching based on the CHA₂DS₂VASc score between patients who got LAA exclusion and those who did not (control group). The primary outcome was the incidence of in-hospital cerebrovascular events, whereas the secondary outcomes included in-hospital bleeding events, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, postoperative shock, and mortality. Our analysis included a total of 15,114 patients. Patients who underwent LAA exclusion had significantly less incidence of cerebrovascular events (2.0% vs 3.1%, p = 0.002). However, LAA exclusion group had higher incidences of bleeding events (36.4% vs 21.3%, p <0.001), pericardial effusion (2.7% vs 1.2%, p <0.001), cardiac tamponade (0.6% vs 0.2%, p <0.001), and postoperative shock (1.2% vs 0.4%, p <0.001). LAA exclusion was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (1.6% vs 0.3%, p <0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that LAA exclusion was significantly associated with lower cerebrovascular accident events and higher in-hospital mortality. In conclusion, LAA exclusion in patients with AF undergoing CABG might be associated with a lower incidence of in-hospital cerebrovascular events. This benefit is offset by a higher incidence of higher bleeding events, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, postoperative shock, and in-hospital mortality.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hemoptysis

Hemoptysis is the expectoration of blood from the tracheobronchial tree. It is commonly caused by bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, and lung cancer. The expectorated blood usually originates from the bronchial arteries. When hemoptysis is suspected, it must be confirmed and classified according to severity, and the origin and cause of the bleeding determined. Lateral and AP chest X-ray is the first study, although a normal chest X-ray does not rule out the possibility of malignancy or other underlying pathology. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) must be performed in all patients with frank hemoptysis, hemoptoic sputum, suspicion of bronchiectasis or risk factors for lung cancer, and in those with signs of pathology on chest X-ray. MDCT angiography has replaced arteriography in identifying the arteries that are the source of bleeding. MDCT angiography is a non-invasive imaging technique that can pinpoint the presence, origin, number and course of the systemic thoracic (bronchial and non-bronchial) and pulmonary arterial sources of bleeding. Endovascular embolization is the safest and most effective method of managing bleeding in massive or recurrent hemoptysis. Embolization is indicated in all patients with life-threatening or recurrent hemoptysis in whom MDCT angiography shows artery disease. Flexible bronchoscopy plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis of hemoptysis in patients with hemoptoic sputum or frank hemoptysis. The procedure can be performed rapidly at the bedside (intensive care unit); it can be used for immediate control of bleeding, and is also effective in locating the source of the hemorrhage. Flexible bronchoscopy is the first-line procedure of choice in hemodynamically unstable patients with life-threatening hemoptysis, in whom control of bleeding is of vital importance. In these cases, surgery is associated with an extremely high mortality rate, and is currently only indicated when bleeding is secondary to surgery and its source can be accurately and reliably located.

Advanced pulmonary sarcoidosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To present an update on the most recent contributions in advanced pulmonary sarcoidosis (APS).

RECENT FINDINGS

Pathology is better described and the differences between fibrosing pulmonary sarcoidosis and usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) are clarified. Serial spirometry is the most reliable tool for monitoring evolution. Survival may be predicted by an integrative algorithm based on pulmonary function and computed tomography (CT).

SUMMARY

APS is characterized by significant fibrocystic pulmonary lesions at CT and pathology. There are two main patterns of APS, one with predominant central bronchovascular distortion, often associated with airflow limitation, and the other with predominant honeycombing with a different location than in UIP with severe restrictive impairment and very low diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. APS may be burnt out but is most often still active as evidenced by several findings, including on F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET. There is an increased mortality and morbidity with chronic respiratory insufficiency, pulmonary hypertension stemming from multiple mechanisms, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and extra infections. Acute worsening episodes are frequent. Serial spirometry, particularly forced vital capacity, is the most reliable tool for monitoring evolution. A new elegant algorithm based on pulmonary function and CT may predict survival. Despite important stakes, there is still a lack of therapeutic recommendations. However, the use of antisarcoidosis treatment is most often required at least as a temporary trial. Finally, the effect of pulmonary hypertension treatment has recently been the object of further evaluation.

National Analysis of Short-Term Outcomes After Pulmonary Resections on Cardiopulmonary Bypass

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary resections using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are infrequently performed. Their short-term outcomes are not well described. We queried the National Inpatient Sample over a 10-year period (2001 to 2011) to more clearly delineate the short-term outcomes of patients undergoing pulmonary resections on CPB.

METHODS

We identified all patients 18 years and older who underwent pulmonary lobectomy (LB) or pneumonectomy (PN) on CPB; lung transplantations were excluded. We then grouped these patients based on the setting in which bypass was used: LB/PN with planned CPB (group 1), LB/PN with concomitant on-pump cardiac procedure (group 2), or LB/PN requiring CPB secondary to injury (group 3). Demographic data and inhospital outcomes were obtained for each patient.

RESULTS

In all, 843 patients underwent LB or PN on CPB during the study period. Lobectomies were the most commonly performed procedure overall. Inhospital mortality for groups 1, 2, and 3 were 22% (n = 58), 16% (n = 61), and 57% (n = 115), respectively. Complications were prevalent across all groups. Routine discharge was achieved by fewer than half of all patients: 48% of group 1 (n = 128); 34% of group 2 (n = 129); and 18% of group 3 (n = 36). Pneumonectomy (odds ratio 2.74, 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 7.53, p = 0.049) as well as using CPB either as part of a combined cardiac surgery (odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval: 0.39 to 5.59, p = 0.002) or because of injury (odds ratio 6.52, 95% confidence interval: 2.13 to 19.99, p = 0.002) were found to be significant multivariate predictors of short-term mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary resections on CPB carry considerable short-term mortality and morbidity, but some risk can be partially mitigated when bypass is planned preoperatively.

The spectrum of opportunistic diseases complicating sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease marked by a paradoxical immune status. The anergic state, which results from various immune defects, contrasts with the inflammatory formation of granulomas. Sarcoidosis patients may be at risk for opportunistic infections (OIs) and a substantial number of cases have been reported, even in untreated sarcoidosis. It is not clear how OIs in patients with sarcoidosis are different from other groups at risk. In this review, we discuss the most common OIs: mycobacterial infection (including tuberculosis), cryptococcosis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, and aspergillosis. Unlike peripheral lymphocytopenia, corticosteroids are a major risk factor for OIs but the occurrence of Ols in untreated patients suggests more complex predisposing mechanisms. Opportunistic infections presenting with extrapulmonary features are often misdiagnosed as new localizations of sarcoidosis. Aspergillomas mostly develop on fibrocystic lungs. Overall, physicians should be aware of the possible occurrence of OIs during sarcoidosis, even in untreated patients.

Thoracic surgery for haemoptysis in the context of tuberculosis: what is the best management approach?

Haemoptysis is not an unusual finding in patients with old or active pulmonary tuberculosis. Because of bronchial artery or a branch of pulmonary artery erosion due to cavitary infiltration, bronchiectasis, fungus ball, broncholithiasis or destroyed lung, the bleeding can sometimes be a life-threatening situation. Assessment of the patient and finding the exact site of bleeding can be difficult especially in a patient with disseminated lung disease. Chest computerized tomography and bronchoscopy remain the methods of choice for lateralization of the disease. Some patients can be treated successfully with endobronchial interventions. Bronchial artery embolization can be rewarding in some patients but the recurrence rate is higher in tuberculosis than other etiologies of haemoptysis. Surgical resection of the lung, mainly lobectomy, remains a life-saving procedure but it should be performed very selectively to avoid higher postoperative morbidity and mortality. Different management options of haemoptysis in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis are discussed in this manuscript.